On Cyprus: a Discussion With Özdil Nami, Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus*
By Omegar Chavolla-Zacarias, BR ’16
Accent Editor-in-Chief Omegar Chavolla-Zacarias sat down with Mr. Nami to discuss the Turkish Cypriot perspective on the issue of the division of Cyprus. The island failed to unify in a 2004 referendum, but Turkish Cypriots still hope to form a single federal Cypriot state. The following is not a transcript, but rather questions posed to Mr. Nami and answers that represent not my opinions, but an understanding of the conflict based on his responses.
[ORIGINAL]
The Cyprus Problem began 50 years ago in 1964 and goes, to this day, unresolved. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was declared a state 31 years ago, but is recognized only by Turkey. Elsewhere, it is considered a military occupation of part of Cyprus
Can you tell me a bit about the history of the TRNC?
In 1960, British decolonization of the island of Cyprus led to the formation of a partner republic — a state whose president would always be a Greek Cypriot and whose vice president would always be a Turkish Cypriot. Three years later, Greek Cypriots initiated armed attacks against Turkish Cypriots, and a UN Peacekeeping Mission was deployed for eleven years.
Military intervention by the Republic of Turkey was a response to an attempted coup and a possible union of the island with Greece. The military intervention resulted in an autonomous Turkish Cypriot administration in the north. Initially, Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders seemed on track to form a federation, and a Turkish Cypriot Federated State was declared. The federation has yet to materialize, and, in 1983, the TRNC was declared a state. Turkish Cypriot leaders maintain the option of uniting under a federal state in the future.
A lot of regional political movements in Europe are focused on independence. The negotiations between Greek and Turkish Cyprus seemingly aim to establish a unified, federal state on the island. How would unification benefit the TRNC?
While Turkish Cypriots would prefer a two-state solution, they are pursuing unification under a federal state as a realistic solution. Unification would benefit the TRNC, by granting the TRNC international recognition under a united Cypriot state.
As an unrecognized country, the TRNC faces obstacles connecting with the rest of the world. There are no direct international flights, phone lines or Internet connections. TRNC sports teams cannot compete internationally. Property and licenses are not internationally recognized, hampering investment and thus economic development. Trade suffers due to high custom duties, and because the TRNC cannot enter trade agreements or have health inspectors check its produce. Furthermore, unrecognized states cannot normally voice their opinions in international forums like the United Nations.
A federal arrangement would resolve these issues. Unfortunately, the incentives pushing Turkish Cypriots to favor unification do not exist on the Greek side.
In 2004 the Greek Cypriots voted against reunification, a measure that had been supported by Turkish Cypriots. Would Turkish Cypriots vote for reunification again today?
Yes, provided history doesn’t repeat itself and political equality is guaranteed.
What would political equality look like?
Like in the U.S, the government would consist of a Senate and a lower house. The Senate would comprise of an equal number of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot representatives, while the lower house would feature proportional representation. The presidency would rotate between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. Unlike in the 1960 Republic of Cyprus, a Greek Cypriot would not always hold the office of president. Political equality would require bills to be approved by representatives of both communities, not just get a simple majority.
What do the Greek Cypriot leaders think of the proposal for political equality?
In the 2008–2010 negotiations, the Greek Cypriot leadership agreed to such a federation. The talks led to the drafting of the Convergence Papers, which addressed government and power sharing. The current Greek Cypriot leader wants to renegotiate the Convergence Papers, but Turkish Cypriot leaders will insist on upholding past compromises.
What have been some obstacles to previous negotiations?
During the 2008–2009 negotiations, the negotiating president of the TRNC failed to win reelection. The new president had campaigned against some of the talks’ compromises, but continued the negotiations once in office. The biggest hurdle, however, was the public opinion of Greek Cypriots.
Do Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots interact socially on the island?
Yes. The dividing Green Line is open to both people and trade. There is no official interaction between the two governments — only ad hoc arrangements, but people get along in Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots often send their kids to schools on the Greek side of the island. However, individual reconciliation is only one step toward a lasting political solution.
*No state other than Turkey recognizes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC); at the U.N., Mr. Nami is presented as an elected representative of the Turkish Cypriot community
